How Safe Is Ginger Rhizome for Decreasing Nausea and Vomiting in Women during Early Pregnancy?

Stanisiere J, Mousset PY, Lafay S · Foods · 2018 April 01

Objective

To assess effectiveness and safety of ginger consumption during early pregnancy.

Conclusions

For 1 g of fresh ginger root per day for four days, results show a significant decrease in nausea and vomiting and no risk for the mother or her future baby. The available evidence suggests that ginger is a safe and effective treatment for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP).

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Insights

Ginger emerges as a safe and effective treatment for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy.

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) affect 7 in 10 pregnant women, significantly impacting their quality of life. Concerns about the safety of traditional antiemetic drugs have led to the consideration of natural options like ginger, which has shown favorable risk/benefit ratios and strong evidence. Ginger supplements with 0.5 to 2 g of root per day can effectively alleviate NVP. However, ensuring ginger quality is crucial, especially in monitoring methyleugenol concentration for potential toxicity. The variability in gingerol composition among supplements underscores the importance of stringent quality control measures. Studies have not found significant reproductive or developmental risks associated with ginger use during pregnancy, but medical supervision and case-specific evaluation are essential. Further research on ginger's effect on platelet aggregation in pregnant women is recommended.